denote

American  

[dih-noht] / dɪˈnoʊt /

verb (used with object)

denoted, denoting

1. to be a mark or sign of; indicate.

   A fever often denotes an infection.

   Synonyms:

   evidence, signify, signal, mark

2. to be a name or designation for; mean.

3. to represent by a symbol, or to be a symbol for.

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denote British  

/ dɪˈnəʊt /

verb

1. to be a sign, symbol, or symptom of; indicate or designate

2. (of words, phrases, expressions, etc) to have as a literal or obvious meaning

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Other Word Forms

• denotable adjective
• denotement noun
• undenotable adjective

Etymology

Origin of denote

First recorded in 1585–95; from Middle French dénoter, Latin dēnotāre “to mark out,” equivalent to dē- de- + notāre “to mark”; note

Compare meaning

How does denote compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• denote vs. connote

Example Sentences

As artificial intelligence hyper-flattens mass culture, anything denoting evidence of humanity becomes exceptionally desirable.

From The Wall Street Journal

The analysis considered references by executives to tariffs, plus several related terms, in the same sentence as terms denoting risk.

From The Wall Street Journal

But the brief also asserts the U.S. is involved in a noninternational armed conflict with the cartels, a legal term denoting one within the territory of a single state.

From The Wall Street Journal

This can denote a fleeting quality, a trend to pass us by, not unlike the evolution of photography and videography.

From Los Angeles Times

It can be be used to denote the southern extent of the aurora.

From BBC

Related Words

• stand for